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| The Truth about Auto Repair | Auto Insurance Claims | Diminished Value | |||
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Repair Level DV1: True Pre-loss Condition
True pre-loss condition exists when a damaged vehicle has been repaired to pre-loss condition in all categories of function, appearance,safety and warranty. All original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts, all known procedures, and only the finest materials were used in the repair. The vehicle has been examined by experts who unanimously conclude that no flaws or defects remain. These same experts have concluded that:
(1) the paintwork has been restored to factory specifications and will age and wear in a manner undetectable from paint on the undamaged portion of the vehicle, and
(2) all structural repairs have been performed to factory specification.
If the vehicle had been damaged structurally, actual after-repair testing has documented that its frame and unibody structure have been restored to:
The vehicle has been disassembled, electronically diagnosed, and examined closely to identify and determine any evidence of kinetic damage caused by the impact in areas such as electronics, seals, bearings, mechanical, body and structural components.
Experts have concluded that no area of the vehicle shows that this vehicle had been damaged. The vehicle is indistinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model, in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has maintained all of its full, remaining factory warranties.
This vehicle will function, perform and wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Repair Level DV2: Repaired to the "Best of Reasonable Human Ability"
Repair to the "best of reasonable human ability" means the repairers used all OEM parts, most available procedures and the finest materials to provide a high quality level of repair. Experts have unanimously concluded that no flaws or defects remain. They have also concluded that evidence of the repair process exists, identifying the previous damage to a trained eye and subsequent buyers. These experts have determined unanimously that the paintwork has been restored to factory specifications, but no conclusive evidence indicates that it will age and wear in a manner undetectable from wear and tear on the undamaged portion of the vehicle.
If the vehicle was damaged structurally:
The vehicle has not been disassembled, electronically diagnosed, and examined closely to identify and assess any evidence of kinetic damage caused from the impact in areas such as electronics, seals, bearings, mechanical, body and structural components. As a result, there is an absence of evidence that all accident-related damage has been identified or repaired.
Some areas of the vehicle reveal its prior damage. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model, in the opinion of automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.
This vehicle is not in pre-loss condition although it may appear so to an untrained eye. There is no credible evidence that this vehicle will function, perform and wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Repair Level DV3: Repaired to "Industry Standard"
Repair to "industry standard" of the collision industry exists when the repairers used many of the available procedures, parts and materials to provide a modest level of repair. Experts have unanimously concluded that minor flaws or defects remain. Evidence of the repair process exists, identifying the previous damage to even untrained eyes. The paintwork has not been restored to factory specifications; from a distance or in low-light conditions, however, it may appear acceptable to undiscerning consumers. There is no conclusive evidence that the paint repair will age and wear in a manner undetectable from paint on the undamaged portion of the vehicle.
In the event of structural damage and repair:
Many areas of the vehicle reveal its previous damage. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.
This vehicle may not function, perform and wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Repair Level DV4: Repaired to "Industry Sub-Standard" (Most Common)
Repair to "Industry Sub-Standard" exists when repairers used only some of the available procedures, parts and limited materials to provide the minimum level of repair they believe an average consumer’s untrained eye will accept. Experts have unanimously concluded that major and minor flaws and/or defects remain. Clear evidence of the repair process exists, including weld burns, missing paint on interior surfaces, and body work easily visible to even the untrained eye. The paintwork has not been restored to factory specifications; there is a clear difference between the original paintwork and that of the repaired areas. This difference can be color mismatch, texture, or material quality. There is no conclusive evidence it will age and wear in a mannerundetectable from paint on the undamaged portion of the vehicle.
In the event of structural damage and repair:
Many areas of the vehicle identify it as having been damaged. It is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.
This vehicle will not function, perform or wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Repair Level DV5: Poorly Repaired
A vehicle is poorly repaired, below even "Industry Sub-Standard," when repairers used few of the available procedures, substandard parts and limited materials, yielding a minimum level of repair. Even laypersons and non-automotive experts can clearly tell that the vehicle was damaged and has been poorly repaired. Experts have unanimously concluded that numerous major and minor flaws remain. Clear evidence of the repair process exists, even to untrained eyes, including weld burns, defective structural and body repairs, missing paint on interior surfaces, and easily identifiable bodywork. The paintwork is visibly flawed and clearly has not been restored to factory specification or appearance. There are obvious differences in color match, texture, and/or material quality. There is no conclusive evidence that the paint will age and wear in a manner undetectable from that on undamaged parts of the vehicle.
If structural damage occurred, actual after-repair testing has not been performed, and:
Most repair areas clearly identify the vehicle as having been damaged and poorly repaired. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.
This vehicle will not function, perform or wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Repair Level DV6: Poorly Repaired and Unsafe to Operate
A vehicle is poorly repaired when repairers used few of the available procedures, parts and materials. Even laypersons and non-automotive experts can clearly tell the vehicle has been damaged and poorly repaired. Experts have unanimously concluded that numerous major and minor flaws remain. Some defects would render the vehicle unsafe to operate on public roads and represent a clear safety hazard to occupants. Clear evidence of the defective repair process and collision damage exists, even to untrained eyes, including weld burns and body repairs, missing paint on interior surfaces, and easily identifiable bodywork. The paintwork is visibly flawed and clearly has not been restored to factory specification or appearance. There are obvious differences in color match, texture, and/or material quality.
In the event of any structural repairs, they have obviously been poorly done and have not restored the vehicle to pre-loss safety and performance:
Most of the repair area clearly identifies the vehicle as having been damaged and very poorly repaired by any standard. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.
This vehicle will not function, perform or wear in a manner identical to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Repair Level DV7: Very Poorly Repaired, Unsafe to Operate and Impossible to Restore to Pre-loss Condition
A very poorly repaired vehicle results when incompetent or untrained persons used few of the procedures, parts and materials available to the collision industry. Experts have unanimously concluded that numerous major and minor flaws remain. The vehicle is so poorly repaired that corrective measures are beyond consideration; this vehicle is incapable of being logically restored to pre-loss condition. The remaining defects would render the vehicle unsafe to operate on public roads and represent a clear safety hazard to its occupants. Clear evidence of the damage and defective repair process exists, easily identifiable even to the untrained eye, including weld burns, defective body repairs and missing paint on interior surfaces. The paintwork is visibly flawed and clearly hasn’t been restored to factory specification or appearance. There are obvious differences in color match, texture, and/or material quality.
In the event of any structural repairs, they have obviously been poorly done and have not restored the vehicle to pre-loss safety and performance:
Most of the repair area clearly identifies the vehicle as having been damaged and very poorly repaired by any standard. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model in the opinion of all automotive experts who have viewed the vehicle, and it has not maintained its full remaining factory warranties.
This vehicle is unsafe to drive and will not function, perform or wear in a manner even remotely similar to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model. This type of vehicle should be scrapped and permanently removed from road use.
Add To Repair Levels DV3 Through DV7 Where Imitation Collision Repair Parts Usage Was Identified
For this repair, the insurance company specified imitation parts, and the repairer used them in repair of the subject vehicle. These parts have been determined by experts and the courts to be inferior to OEM parts in many respects. Imitation parts void factory warranties on the imitation component itself and on all other related components that fail due to the imitation part. Imitation parts have no effective recall system, should the manufacturer discover a design or material defect after installation. Imitation parts have been found not to be of like kind and quality in fit, finish, warranty and performance; as a result, using them may cause additional loss of value and additional potential safety hazards.
Note: Imitation collision repair parts usage would render a vehicle ineligible for Repair Levels DV1 and DV2. content & design 2002-2008 David Williams and SafeCollisionRepairs.com
For more than ten years, David Williams of Wheelersburg, Ohio's Safe Collision Repairs has worked with consumers and attorneys in the tri-states of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia to expose unsafe auto repairs and maximize recovery on auto insurance claims. Some of the company's services include Post-Repair Inspections, Prepurchase Inspections, Auto Damage Assessments, Lemon Law Investigations, Expert Court Testimony and Diminished Value Calculations using an advanced version of Network Information Communication's WreckCheck program.
The content expressed on this website and in the article above represents the opinions of David A. Williams. Williams is neither an attorney nor public insurance adjuster, but is an expert, consultant, and writer specializing in the field of automotive collision repair and valuations. The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for legal or insurance advice. Because collision repair is a continually evolving science, any text, materials or links found herein are provided without claim or guarantee to their accuracy or completeness.
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Diminished Value l Auto Collision Repair Issues l Auto Insurance Issues l Auto Manufacturing and Safety l Auto Sales and Consumer Issues l Diminished Value Slideshow
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content & design 2002-2009 David Williams and SafeCollisionRepairs.com |
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DISCLAIMER The content expressed on this website represents the opinions of David A. Williams. Williams is neither an attorney nor public insurance adjuster, but is an expert, consultant, and writer specializing in the field of automotive safety, collision repair and valuations. The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for legal or insurance advice. Because collision repair is a continually evolving science, any text, materials or links found herein are provided without claim or guarantee to their accuracy or completeness. Advertisements seen on Safe Collision Repairs website must not to be considered endorsements of products or services as we maintain no relations with these companies. Vendors and service providers receiving our endorsement will be clearly identified by us on this website. |